New: a trial court in 1 of every 10 U.S. counties. Read the post
Court Rules
Judge

Judge Jerry A. Esrig

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Circuit Court of Cook County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Brief
15 pgs
Courtesy CopyCourt-wide
20 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • Email
  • Email • Seven Days Before Presentment

Adjournments

  • Trial dates are firm. Continuances will rarely be granted and only for good cause—usually involving serious illness (or death) of counsel, a party, or a necessary witness. A motion for continuance should be brought as early as possible and should be supported by an affidavit.
  • Discovery schedule modifications require a court order, must not affect trial date, and failure to complete discovery is not grounds for continuance.
  • Reasonable briefing schedule extensions are granted if they do not affect hearing/trial dates and are requested before courtesy copies are due; parties should confer on agreed modifications.

Request must include

Reason for RequestProposed New Dates

Communication

Filters:

Page & Word Limits2 rules

Page LimitsMandatoryCivil cases

No motion, movant's brief, or response brief shall exceed 15 double-spaced pages (exclusive of exhibits). No reply brief shall exceed 7 double-spaced pages.

Brief
Up to 15 pages
Reply brief
Up to 7 pages
Format
Double-spaced

Excluded from page count

  • Exhibits
Page LimitsImportantCivil cases

Oversized briefs are disfavored and require leave of court.

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

The font size in the body of the text shall be 12 points and in footnotes no less than 10 points. All margins shall each be a minimum of 1 inch.

Font size
12 points
Margins
At least 1 inch

Document Filing Requirements5 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Any document that does not comply with this or any other court order shall be filed subject to being stricken by the court.

Filing RequirementsImportantCivil cases

Briefs shall include citations of authority and, as applicable, a procedural history section. Record citations are required.

Filing RequirementsImportantCivil cases

Exhibits and relevant pleadings must be emailed with briefs; each exhibit a separate PDF; exhibit list required; deposition transcripts with word index required when cited.

Document
Exhibits

Must include

  • Exhibit list

Court's wording

Exhibits and relevant pleadings (including any pleading attacked) must be e-mailed to the court with electronic copies of the briefs. Exhibits may be provided in PDF format. Each exhibit should be a separate PDF. A list of exhibits must be provided for each document that contains more than one exhibit. A Table of Contents linked to individual exhibits is helpful to the court. Where depositions are cited, an electronic copy of the entire transcript with a word index must be provided.

Filing RequirementsImportantCivil cases

Briefs that exceed the 15-page limit must have a table of contents with the pages noted and a table of cases.

Document
Brief

Must include

  • Table of contents
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Proposed agreed orders must be emailed in Word format to chambers with case info in subject line, copying all parties, and followed by a phone call to the case coordinator.

Court's wording

Proposed agreed orders may be submitted electronically. Proposed agreed orders are not to be filed. Rather, they are to be submitted to the judge to consider, to modify, if appropriate, and to enter. For example, proposed agreed orders such as stipulated protective orders require court approval before actually being given full effect. Proposed agreed orders must be attached to an e-mail sent to following e-mail address: law.calscc@cookcountyil.gov. The subject line of the e-mail must include the case number and name, and the title of the order that is proposed. All such documents must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.docx or .doc). All other parties to the case must be copied on the email. Please advise the court's case coordinator by phone (312-603-5923) after submitting a proposed agreed order.

Filing & Service rules

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Electronic courtesy copies must be emailed seven days before presentment; paper copies are no longer accepted.

Electronic courtesy copies are due seven days prior to the presentment date. The court no longer accepts paper courtesy copies. Please email electronic courtesy copies to: law.calscc@cookcountyil.gov.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Electronic courtesy copies are required; paper copies are not accepted.

Electronic courtesy copies (see reverse side) are due on . No paper copies will be accepted.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Briefing Schedule Order

Courtesy copies due by the clerk status date; failure to submit may result in the motion being stricken; no appearance required on that date.

Please note that courtesy copies are due on or before the date set in the order. There is no appearance by counsel on the Clerk's Status date. If the court has not received the required courtesy copies on or before the clerk status date, the motion may be stricken. The court does not hear motions on the clerk status date.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Electronic courtesy copies must be emailed to law.calscc@cookcountyil.gov in Word format with specific subject line; exhibits may be PDF; email body must be empty.

Each party shall submit an electronic version of their brief(s) as an e- mail attachment to the following e-mail address: law.calscc@cookcountyil.gov. The subject line of the e-mail must include the case number and name, and a description of the attachment(s). All briefs must be submitted to the court in Word file format (.docx or .doc). Exhibits may be submitted in PDF format. The body of the e-mail shall not include any text.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Dispositive motions must be presented at least 90 days before trial unless otherwise ordered.

Unless otherwise specified by order, dispositive motions shall be presented no later than 90 days before the trial date.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Sur-replies are not permitted.

No surreplies will be permitted.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Trial dates are firm. Continuances will rarely be granted and only for good cause—usually involving serious illness (or death) of counsel, a party, or a necessary witness. A motion for continuance should be brought as early as possible and should be supported by an affidavit.

Trial dates are firm. Continuances will rarely be granted and only for good cause—usually involving serious illness (or death) of counsel, a party, or a necessary witness. A motion for continuance should be brought as early as possible and should be supported by an affidavit.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Discovery schedule modifications require a court order, must not affect trial date, and failure to complete discovery is not grounds for continuance.

An agreement among counsel to waive discovery time constraints will not be recognized by the court unless it is memorialized in a court order. Any proposed modification to a discovery schedule must not affect the scheduled trial date. A failure to complete discovery is not a legitimate basis for continuing a trial.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Reasonable briefing schedule extensions are granted if they do not affect hearing/trial dates and are requested before courtesy copies are due; parties should confer on agreed modifications.

The court will grant a reasonable request to extend a briefing schedule if the proposed modification does not affect a scheduled hearing date or trial date and the request is made before the day electronic courtesy copies are due. To the extent possible, the parties should confer and agree on a proposed modified schedule.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Chambers Communication Rules

Agreed schedule modifications require a phone call to the case coordinator and an emailed proposed order using the court's form, with all parties copied.

If the modified schedule is agreed, the parties must: (1) advise the court’s case coordinator by phone (312-603-5923); and (2) submit a proposed order as an e-mail attachment to the following e- mail address: law.calscc@cookcountyil.gov. The subject line of the e-mail must include the case number and name, and the title of the order that is proposed. All such proposed orders must be submitted using the court’s briefing schedule order (a fillable copy is available for download under the “Forms” section of Judge Esrig’s webpage on the Circuit Court’s website), and the parties shall indicate in the “7. Other” field that it is an agreed order modifying the briefing schedule entered on [date of previous order]. All parties must be copied on the e-mail to the court.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

If your case should settle after a trial date has been scheduled, please advise the court's case coordinator by leaving a voicemail message (312-603-5923) at your earliest convenience.

If your case should settle after a trial date has been scheduled, please advise the court's case coordinator by leaving a voicemail message (312-603-5923) at your earliest convenience.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Explanatory Notes

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 118 rules apply across Circuit Court of Cook County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Communication

All 59
  • Contact
    Email

    Questions, comments, or concerns about the eFileIL e-filing system should be directed to Tyler Technologies at efiling.support@tylertech.com.

  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    Courtesy copies for Judge Daniel R. Degnan must be submitted via email to daniel.degnan@cookcountyil.gov.

  • Contact
    Email

    Stamped order inquiries for Judge Daniel R. Degnan must be submitted via email to tlhudson@cookcountycourt.com.

Filing Timing

All 12
  • Deadline
    60 calendar days

    Attorney fee petitions for court-appointed attorneys must be filed within 60 days after final order or 6 months after service/cost, whichever is earlier.

  • Deadline
    2 business days

    Decedent's estate agreed order requests must be filed and submitted 2-5 business days prior to the scheduled court date.

  • Deadline
    2 business days

    Pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy, after the judge signs an order, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will upload it to the Odyssey system, where it should appear within two (2) business days.

Filing Requirements

All 11
  • Applies to
    Complaint
    Must include
    caption

    Chancery Division complaints must include specific caption designations based on the relief sought.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Must include
    caption

    Motions to correct errors in criminal cases must be in writing, accompanied by affidavit, and notice must be served on the prosecution.

  • Applies to
    Complaint
    Must include
    caption

    All initiating papers must include the court name and department/division/district in the caption; small claims complaints must be endorsed 'Small Claims'.

E-Filing

All 9
  • Applies to
    Civil case filing

    E-filing is mandatory for all Cook County civil cases through the eFileIL system as of July 1, 2018, except Quasi-Criminal, Housing, and Wills cases.

  • Applies to
    Verified status report

    In order to ask the Court to consider entering such agreed orders via e-mail, regular mail or courier, attorneys must first e-file a brief “verified status report” that explains the status of the case and the basis for the request.

  • You will not receive orders if your e-mail address is not accurate in the e-filing system and/or you have not filed as the attorney of record.

About Judge Jerry A. Esrig

Jerry A. Esrig is a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County, the trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County. The court handles a broad range of civil and criminal matters.

The published procedures include a law briefing schedule order and a law case management order, which set deadlines and case management requirements for law cases.

Common questions about Judge Jerry A. Esrig's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jerry A. Esrig?

Details: delivery seven days before presentment, by email. Electronic courtesy copies must be emailed seven days before presentment; paper copies are no longer accepted.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

Does Judge Jerry A. Esrig require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Dispositive motions must be presented at least 90 days before trial unless otherwise ordered.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Jerry A. Esrig?

Judge Jerry A. Esrig's rule states these limits: 15 pages; 7 pages. Excludes exhibits. Motions, movant briefs, and response briefs limited to 15 double-spaced pages; reply briefs limited to 7 double-spaced pages.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Briefing Schedule Order

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Jerry A. Esrig?

Judge Jerry A. Esrig's formatting rule includes 12 point type and margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches. Body text must be 12-point font, footnotes at least 10-point, and all margins at least 1 inch.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Briefing Schedule Order

What must be included with proposed agreed order filings before Judge Jerry A. Esrig?

The rule requires proposed order. Proposed agreed orders must be emailed in Word format to chambers with case info in subject line, copying all parties, and followed by a phone call to the case coordinator.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

What must be included with all filings before Judge Jerry A. Esrig?

Non-compliant documents may be stricken by the court.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

How may parties contact Judge Jerry A. Esrig's chambers?

The rule lists phone 312-603-5923. Agreed schedule modifications require a phone call to the case coordinator and an emailed proposed order using the court's form, with all parties copied.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Jerry A. Esrig?

The request must include reason for request. Trial dates are firm. Continuances will rarely be granted and only for good cause—usually involving serious illness (or death) of counsel, a party, or a necessary witness. A motion for continuance should be brought as early as possible and should be supported by an affidavit.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes
Complete rules summary for Judge Jerry A. Esrig

Proposed agreed orders must be emailed in Word format to chambers with case info in subject line, copying all parties, and followed by a phone call to the case coordinator.

If your case should settle after a trial date has been scheduled, please advise the court's case coordinator by leaving a voicemail message (312-603-5923) at your earliest convenience.

Trial dates are firm. Continuances will rarely be granted and only for good cause—usually involving serious illness (or death) of counsel, a party, or a necessary witness. A motion for continuance should be brought as early as possible and should be supported by an affidavit.

Dispositive motions must be presented at least 90 days before trial unless otherwise ordered.

Discovery schedule modifications require a court order, must not affect trial date, and failure to complete discovery is not grounds for continuance.

Electronic courtesy copies must be emailed seven days before presentment; paper copies are no longer accepted.

Non-compliant documents may be stricken by the court.

Electronic courtesy copies are required; paper copies are not accepted.

Reasonable briefing schedule extensions are granted if they do not affect hearing/trial dates and are requested before courtesy copies are due; parties should confer on agreed modifications.

Briefs exceeding 15 pages must include a table of contents with page numbers and a table of cases.

Agreed schedule modifications require a phone call to the case coordinator and an emailed proposed order using the court's form, with all parties copied.

Courtesy copies due by the clerk status date; failure to submit may result in the motion being stricken; no appearance required on that date.

Briefs exceeding page limits are disfavored and require court permission.

Body text must be 12-point font, footnotes at least 10-point, and all margins at least 1 inch.

Briefs must include citations of authority, procedural history when applicable, and record citations.

Motions, movant briefs, and response briefs limited to 15 double-spaced pages; reply briefs limited to 7 double-spaced pages.

Exhibits and relevant pleadings must be emailed with briefs; each exhibit a separate PDF; exhibit list required; deposition transcripts with word index required when cited.

Sur-replies are not permitted.

Electronic courtesy copies must be emailed to law.calscc@cookcountyil.gov in Word format with specific subject line; exhibits may be PDF; email body must be empty.

More Judges in Circuit Court of Cook County

Abbey Fishman Romanek
Judge
Adrienne E. Davis
Judge
Aicha M. MacCarthy
Judge
Aileen Bhandari
Judge
Aleksandra Gillespie
Judge
Alexander D. Marks
Judge
Alfredo Maldonado
Judge
Alison C. Conlon
Judge